How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll want a cheap robot vacuum cleaner with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot vacuum cleaner sale that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot vacuum deals remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot vacuum bot & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuum Hoover vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option when you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.